Blancpain ceaselessly perfects its watches, while remaining faithful to its centuries-old heritage. This complete mastery of the manufacturing process permits total freedom in the creation of movements, though always abiding by the aesthetic codes of the brand.
Every Blancpain watch is the incarnation of an idea. The strength of the Manufacture lies in its capacity to create timepieces that innovate while respecting Swiss watchmaking tradition. The pursuit of perfection impels Blancpain to the continual improvement of the performance, accuracy and elegance of its watches.
We consider innovation to be a motive force and our research and development department is at the heart of it. Perfecting original movements and new complications, often world premières, is a priority for us. Cases, dials and straps are not forgotten by our specialists. Even invisible components, such as springs and screws, are the subject of ongoing research. Every part of a Blancpain watch must be perfect, even those that are hidden from view.
The design of a new movement
As soon as a concept becomes a project, the construction engineers produce drawings of the new watch using computer software. This task demands highly specialised knowledge, not only of the watchmaker’s art, but also of micromechanics and information processing. A project of average scope takes 1.500 hours of work.
Homologation of a movement
Using these drawings as a basis, the laboratory technicians assemble a prototype, which is subjected to numerous tests before being validated and homologated:
• measurement tests, to calculate the different theoretical values of the movement;
• fatigue tests, which simulate operation of the watch over several years;
• tests of reliability and resistance to mechanical, thermal and magnetic shocks.
Only a prototype that has successfully completed all these stages can find its place in the family of Blancpain movements.
Equipping the watch
To enable every wearer to express their personality, each model has a case, a strap or bracelet, a dial and hands developed for it by our equipment and design specialists. Their imagination and skill guarantees that each model possesses a unique personality, following the Blancpain tradition. Although every watch is unique, they all partake of a shared aesthetic signature that marks them as members of the Blancpain family.
In the field of equipment of its watches, Blancpain also makes avant-garde innovations. The Manufacture has registered a number of world patents, such as the system of correctors under the horns, as well as a completely original stone-setting technique.